Del. Lori Dittman

Maddy summaryHCR 99 is a legislative resolution requesting the Joint Standing Committee on the Judiciary to study policies preventing financial fraud and scams in West Virginia. It directs the committee to examine current state laws, review national approaches, and focus on four key areas: reducing robocalls and spoofing, addressing cryptocurrency-related scams (noting $1.4 million in losses in 2023), improving victim restitution, and protecting against property title fraud. The resolution cites data showing 8,000 West Virginians lost $27 million to fraud in 2024, with national losses exceeding $12.5 billion. The committee must report findings and recommendations to the legislature, governor, and attorney general by December 31, 2025. This is a study resolution, not a law, and does not create immediate policy changes.

Maddy summaryHB 3167 requires circuit courts in West Virginia to order 12-panel hair follicle drug testing for parents or guardians in cases where child abuse or neglect has been substantiated. The test covers drug use over the past 90 days and applies to all respondents, with additional requirements for infants under two months old if a parent tests positive. Attempts to alter hair (e.g., dyeing, shaving) or failure to comply with the court order are treated as positive test results. Test results may be shared with a multidisciplinary treatment team to inform child welfare decisions.

Maddy summaryHB 3505 requires health insurance policies covering cancer chemotherapy to include coverage for scalp cooling systems starting January 1, 2026. These systems are defined as devices used to cool the scalp and prevent hair loss during chemotherapy treatment. The mandate applies to all individual and group health insurance plans, though coverage may still involve standard deductibles, coinsurance, or copayments consistent with other covered benefits. The bill directly affects cancer patients seeking hair preservation during treatment and insurers offering chemotherapy coverage.

Maddy summaryHB 3519 transfers $155,288,050 from the Governor’s Office-Civil Contingent Fund (unspent funds for emergency use) to the Higher Education Policy Commission’s budget for the 2025 fiscal year. The bill creates a new line item titled "Deferred Maintenance of Institutions - Surplus" under the Higher Education Policy Commission’s administrative account. This reallocates unused state funds specifically for deferred maintenance at public colleges and universities, without creating new spending or changing tax policies. The bill directly affects higher education institutions by providing funding for building repairs and infrastructure upkeep.

Maddy summaryHCR 88 is a ceremonial resolution honoring two West Virginia first responders nominated for the Medal of Valor. It specifically recognizes Captain Donald Lawson (New Martinsville Police) for rescuing two people from carbon monoxide poisoning despite his own hospitalization, and Darrell Lambert (Lake Volunteer Firefighter) for entering a burning building without protective gear to save a trapped resident, sustaining burns in the process. The resolution formally confirms the Legislature's approval of their award and directs the House Clerk to send a copy to Governor Morrisey. This is a symbolic honor with no new policy or funding changes, directly affecting only these two nominees. It passed unanimously in both chambers on April 3, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis resolution requests that the West Virginia Division of Highways name a specific segment of Route 20 in Webster County (from the Upshur/Webster County line to Mount Zion Road) as the "U.S. Army Sergeant Major Charles Grant Hoke Memorial Road." It commemorates Sergeant Major Charles Grant Hoke, a WWII and Korean War veteran with multiple military awards, who was born in Upshur County and raised in Cleveland, Webster County. The resolution asks the Division of Highways to install signs identifying this road segment and directs the House Clerk to forward the resolution to the agency. This is a commemorative measure with no funding or policy changes, directly affecting the named road segment in Webster County.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution (HCR 46) requests the West Virginia Division of Highways rename Flag Run Bridge (located on WV 072 over Flag Run in Preston County) as the "U.S. Army SP4 Ronald Gene Sypolt Memorial Bridge." It directly affects the bridge's official designation and requires the placement of commemorative signs. The resolution honors Ronald Gene Sypolt, a Vietnam War veteran who served from 1970-1971 and passed away in 2023, as a tribute to his military service and local ties. This is a ceremonial naming resolution with no policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis House Concurrent Resolution (HCR 62) requests that West Virginia's Division of Highways rename Bridge Number 39-066/00-002.25 (locally known as YORK RUN BOX CULVERT) to the "U.S. Army PFC Henry James Miller Memorial Bridge." It honors PFC Henry James Miller, a West Virginia native who served in Iraq with the 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, was honorably discharged, and later died in 2013 after struggling with PTSD. The resolution specifically asks the Division of Highways to install signage identifying the bridge with this new name.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution requests that West Virginia's Division of Highways rename bridge number 53-032/003.45 in Wirt County (locally known as the Peewee Pony Truss) as the "U.S. Army PFC Roy Lee Hill Memorial Bridge" and install identifying signs. It commemorates Roy Lee Hill, a WWII veteran who served in the Pacific theater, lived in the local community, and died in 1978. The bill directly affects the bridge's official designation and signage. As a naming resolution, it has no policy mechanisms beyond this commemorative request.

Maddy summaryHB 3506 sets a new mandatory 7% employee contribution rate for judges of courts of record in West Virginia, effective July 1, 2025. This directly affects current and future judges who participate in the state's judges' retirement system, replacing previous rates that had fluctuated between 6% and 10.5% over time. The bill also establishes a key mechanism where employer contributions to the retirement fund may be suspended if the fund's funding level exceeds 125%, as determined by annual actuarial valuations. The changes aim to standardize contributions while providing a trigger for pausing employer payments during periods of strong fund solvency.